Merlyn Showering is launching a new collection of enclosures, called Source, to join its 'installer-friendly' Ionic range. Ionic is a brand of stylish, easy fit shower enclosures specifically designed for plumbers and installers.more

British luxury kitchen and bathroom brassware manufacturer, Perrin & Rowe, has announced its participation in the hotel design event, Sleep 2015, taking place at the Business Design Centre in London from 24th through 25th November.more

UK showering solutions brand Coram Showers, known for its quality, durability and ease of installation, is launching two new product ranges and a stunning updated brochure. Not a brand to rest on its laurels, its latest product offerings include two inventive new ranges which serve to confirm the company's reputation as a frontrunner in the UK shower enclosure industry.more

Bella Bathrooms has announced that it is now an approved retailer of Tavistock Bathroom products. The new range contains everything you need to create your perfect bathroom and with a wide range of products available, there is something to suit every style and every home.more

The original concept of AmicaIn was introduced at IFA 2014 by Amica and following a further year of investment and research, officially launched at this year's international IFA exhibition last month.more

The Cosentino Group has developed a new Silestone worksurface colour in collaboration with the renowned Brazilian interior design architect, Brunete Fraccaroli. 'Acqua Fraccaroli' commemorates Silestone's 25th anniversary; an exclusive limited edition colour which will launch simultaneously in London, New York, Vancouver, Sao Paulo, Sydney, Singapore, Tel Aviv, Milan, Brussels, Belgium and Barcelona Cosentino Centres, as well as at this week's 100% Design show in London.more

Lakes Bathrooms has launched a new business in the United States. The shower enclosure and bathroom products manufacturer has joined forces with Ark Bathrooms to form Lakes Bathrooms LLC, a subsidiary of the UK parent.more

Welcome to theKBzine

New research, conducted by Beko, reveals that ‘kitchen envy’ is well and truly upon us with almost one in five 26 – 30 year olds saying they are envious of their friends’ kitchens and appliances.

The research, which surveyed 2,000 UK homeowners aged between 21 and 50, found that more than 1 in 10 would forgo a holiday so that they could afford a new kitchen kitted out with the latest appliances. Kitchen envy is a growing phenomenon for the younger generation with over 40% worrying that their kitchen is not as impressive as their friends’ kitchens, or worse – that their friends will judge them.

The younger you are the more likely you are to worry about how impressive your kitchen is. Almost a quarter of 21 – 25 year olds are worried that their kitchen isn’t impressive compared to only 7% of those aged between 46 – 50.

The study shows that this new ‘Come Dine With Me’ culture seems to have fostered an element of competitiveness, with 1 in 10 men admitting they would seek the best kitchen gadgets to compete with friends – for example, having the biggest and best fridge freezer.

The research also revealed that young people are choosing to socialise at home rather than nipping to the pub or dancing the night away in a club. With recent news that half of UK nightclubs and pubs have closed down in the last 10 years, it’s not surprising that over half (50%) of those surveyed said that they now entertain more often at home, therefore turning the heat up on pressures for the perfect kitchen.

The survey also revealed that 52% of people enjoy having friends over for drinks, with 50% hosting dinner parties. Over a third (35%) of couples entertain their friends together. It doesn’t matter if you are single, married or living together, the home is now the centre of our social culture and a covetable kitchen will make entertaining – and being entertained – a real pleasure.

The Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installers (iKBBI) announced this week an historic and exciting collaboration with PROCAT (Prospects College of Advance Technology), the UK's first college of advanced technology, to create the first ever iKBBI approved Centre of Excellence for KBB installation apprentices.

The monumental agreement will initially enrol around 1,000 16 - 19 year olds as iKBBI Apprentice Members by Christmas 2015 as part of the research and development phase.more

Toilet touch points, contact lenses with built-in blood-sugar analysis for diabetics and the subjectivity of colourful six-sided beach balls were just three of the topics discussed at the recent Bathroom & Kitchen Business Conference.

"The annual conference has always been designed to expand the minds of its delegates by getting them to look outside of their usual four walls, by challenging norms and by creating some disruptive thoughts," says Amy Kirk. "And as you can see, it certainly did that!"more

Visit the company's stand at any exhibition and you can see that Abode is at the forefront of design, engineering excellence and advanced technology in the bathroom shower market. Its designers continue to add new creations to the range, expanding its offering to the marketplace with products that co-ordinate perfectly with Abode's complete collection of bathroom brassware and showering portfolios - as these two latest thermostatic showers testify.

The two new exposed thermostatic 'all-in-one' wall mounted showers in a chrome finish are available nationwide through Abode's distribution partners. These showers are the ideal solution to most showering needs; offering easy-to-operate controls plus the reduction of installation time.more

Burbidge is continuing to provide customers with innovation and an eye for detail with its brand new Handle Collection brochure.

Having recently consolidated its handle and knob offering, the company says its new literature offers a snapshot of its most exquisite designs, all of which combine an acute attention to design detailing and exceptional craftsmanship.more

Whether it's for a complete kitchen update or a quick fix makeover, a new sink can transform the look of a kitchen. As one of the largest manufacturers of Silgranit, ceramic and stainless steel sinks, Blanco Germany understands how functionality, practicality and aesthetic design are equally important...more

As the cold nights draw closer and the days get shorter, seeking sanctuary in a luxurious bath - such as the Toulouse, pictured - is one of the simplest ways to warm up in Winter. Be it a cosy log cabin in the mountains, a contemporary bathroom in the city or a cottage in the country, Victoria + Albert Baths has a range of luxury tubs to escape to this winter, in modern and traditional styles.more

More than just a conventional public toilet, the Toto Gallery, a 145sq.m space recently opened in the waiting area of the new Terminal 2 at Tokyo's Narita Airport, gives visitors the opportunity to experience Toto bathroom products first-hand.

Travellers from around the world stand still, walk in and are inspired: the hall to the toilets, normally an inconvenient part of public buildings, is transformed into a journey through a world with much to discover: performances, art and an especially pleasant, hygienic and inspiring area for the bathrooms.more

The Fuelcard People have announce the launch of a new product that will offer exclusive benefits to its customers - the One Fuelcard.

The One Fuelcard offers access to the largest fixed price fuel network in the whole of the UK (more than 50% of all UK filling stations). It also covers all Shell sites and all Esso stations, as well as all Topaz, Total, Texaco and Gleaner facilities.more

Ideal Standard has held a golf day featuring a masterclass with European number one Mel Reid to raise money for Armitage Thanks, its charity campaign which aims to raise £200,000 by 2017.

The event, which took place at Breadsall Priory in Derbyshire, was attended by 60 Ideal Standard team members, customers and suppliers. They were given advice on improving their game by Mel, who finished unbeaten at the recent Solheim Cup in Germany. As well as receiving training, the team members had a Texas Scramble round of golf across the course.more

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As part of two major announcements due in October, The Institute for Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installers will be unveiling a restructured accreditation offering, which will include five tiers of membership, following feedback from the industry.more

As the new consumer legislation comes into force yesterday, TrustMark, the only Government-endorsed scheme for all trades in and around the home, announced a new 'primary authority' partnership with Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards to provide assured advice for its Scheme Operators and TrustMark registered firms.more

Kitchen makeover franchise firm Dream Doors has announced the appointment of Bill Owen as the company's new director of franchising. Bill is a well-known and respected figure in the franchise world, and has been recruited to help the UK's largest kitchen facelift retailer through a period of unprecedented growth.more

Retailers eagerly awaiting the next exclusive Abode Autumn sink and tap promotion can now entice their customers to buy and install before the busy Christmas period. This new promotion runs from 1st October through to end of December 2015 and all details are outlined on a promotional flyer.more